adminBukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
THE Sports and Recreation Commission might be forced to reduce the National Youth Games soccer competitors age from Under 20 to Under 17 after participating provinces raised outcry over the overall use of already established players at the expense of youngsters.
At a post Youth Games technical meeting last week, Bulawayo province noted that the standard of the game was going down with each edition which they said was a result of introducing new set of players each year as most of the players would be 19 years old.
It was also discovered that provinces were very keen on using experienced players who were registered with the Premier League and Division One clubs which resulted in the players failing to commit themselves fully for fear of injuries.
For the past three years, three different winners have emerged in football with Harare Province claiming gold in 2013 before hosts Masvingo edged Bulawayo on penalties in last year’s edition. Bulawayo province won this year’s edition.
SRC sports development manager Martin Dururu said they were going to look into the issue in November but hinted that change was imminent.
“We heard about the recommendations but we’re still waiting for the provinces to submit their reports which we’ll discuss at the post games meeting in Mashonaland West,” said Dururu.
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